Cyclists tasting the local foods in Harmony, MN
Sarah Wangen, Dir. Preston Minnesota Tourism – photos Russ Lowthian
Taste of the Trail, here in Southeast Minnesota is similar to many “Taste of…” except in the Bluff Country, the towns along the trail system are focusing their attention on the local foods grown and enjoyed throughout the year while incorporating a fall festival atmosphere on each of the three Saturdays in September, consecutively scheduled.
Lefse cooking on the Trail in Whalan, MN
Each week bring your family and friends along and pedal through the picturesque countryside, along the Root River Trail while enjoying all the specialties each town has to offer. To make it easy for you, each weekend, three of the nine communities along the trail will host and celebrate the coming of the Fall Season – Offering local foods, games, music and more. So, to take it all in each week, park your car, ride the trail to the other two towns and enjoy!
Family of Taste of the Trail cyclists relaxing in the shade
Because the trail system is close to 60 miles in length, September 6th, the Taste of the Trail will be hosted by Fountain, Harmony and Preston. Here each of these town’s will showcase some of their local foods fare and attractions.
It’s photo Opp time in downtown Rushford, MN
On September 13th, the second Saturday, Houston, Rushford and Rushford Village (on the east end of the trail) will host and share their favorite foods and entertainment.
Stopping along the trail in Lanesboro to sample some of the areas favorites
Then on Saturday, September 20th, in the middle of the Root River Trail system, Lanesboro, Peterson and Whalan will host the last weekends Trail Town’s festivities, sharing more culinary delights.
In Peterson, barbecue’s and pie’s are a reason to stop here
The hours each Saturday are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and sampling in each town will take place at participating businesses and/or at a central location along the trail. Enjoy trout spreads in Preston, lefse and other Norwegian delights in Rushford, and homemade pies in Peterson and Whalan. Trail riding enthusiasts will find a diverse variety of delightful, palate-pleasing tastes over the three weekends. And, along with the featured local foods, served in each community, find artisan crafts, entertainment, museums and other fun activities while visiting. You will discover so many interesting things to do on the Root River Trail that you will want to plan a return trip, or two, sometime in the near future.
Historic depot in Rushford
For more information on specific Taste of the Trail food vendors and activities, please go to www.rootrivertrail.org.
For lodging and other fun things to do when visiting the area, see: At-A-Glance Root River Trail.
Taste of the Trail is sponsored by Root River Trail Towns, an association of communities situated on the Root River Trail System, in Southeast Minnesota’s Bluff Country, working together for the promotion and betterment of the trail.